At its height, the Roman Empire surrounded the Mediterranean Sea and stretched north, encompassing the Balkan peninsula and all of southern and far western Europe, including France, Spain, and even Britain. Like Rome’s they lie right in the centre of the ancient city. Visitors to Athens will no doubt be visiting its famous and historic ruins. It is an hour’s drive from the coastal city of İzmir. Located in western Turkey and known today as Efes, Ephesus was an ancient Greek city on the Ionian Coast. Nearby Rome, there are many other ancient Roman cities to visit, for those interested, many of these Roman cities can be easily be visited as a day trip from Rome. If you’d like to know more, Andrew, our resident castle expert, has written a great post on the history of Montaigle Castle Ruins. The ruins of the Parthenon, the Erechtheion, the Propylaia, the Temple of Athena Nike, Herodotus’ Odeum, and the Theater of Dionysus are perhaps the major sites to see on any visit to the Acropolis. According to the legends of ancient Greek and Latin literature, Troy was the city center and setting for the Trojan War, one of the most notable stories from the Greek myths. The stone blocks that make up the aqueduct are huge and, to this day, it is a wonder of engineering. Grasburg, Switzerland To most tourists doing the rounds of Europe’s ancient ruins, Switzerland doesn’t figure prominently on the map. Malta is quite small, and it takes just 45 minutes to drive from one end to the other of the main island. Give a shout out for ones in … We share our the ten best ruins and ancient historical sites we’ve visited in Europe from castles to aqueducts to a classical theatre. By alison - April 27, 2012 (Updated: February 1, 2019). Read National Geographic's picks for the best ancient ruins & archeological sites around the world. Bagan is an ancient city in the Mandalay Region of Myanmar. Built as a pagan temple to the gods, the Pantheon is Rome’s best-preserved ancient site, perhaps because it was later consecrated as … Dating as far back as 5,000 years, Stonehenge has been the subject of many a theory as to its history and purpose. Empires have come and gone, societies have risen and fallen, and many even left something behind for us to enjoy today. For me, one of the highlights of travelling in Asia is seeing history embodied in elaborate ancient temples and ruins. The main sites here are the Library of Celsus (pictured), the small remains of the Temple of Artemis (one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World), and the largest outdoor theatre of the ancient world. Here are some of my favourite temples and ruins in Asia, including Angkor Wat, the erotic temples of Khajuraho and the ancient city of Ayutthaya. The Colosseum is right next to the Forum, and needs little explanation. Read more about our visit to Pottu Codinu and Sardinia. ', The Ultimate List of Castle Hotels in Belgium, The Ultimate Guide to the Best Things to Do in Normandy, France, The Ultimate Guide to the Best Restaurants in Brussels, Belgium. Best Athens Ruins to visit. This beautiful aqueduct was built in the middle of the first century and the famous bridge section is just one part of the 50 km long water passage intended to bring water to the Roman colony of Nemausus (present day Nîmes). It’s located in County Antrim, not too far from the famous Giant’s Causeway and is well worth a visit. Ancient Europe Ruins. These cultures are the backbone of the western world, but all of them are so far away that most people see only one or two times in their lifetime. It was built as a temple and remains in part today as the most visible of the city’s ruins. Perched on a rock, overlooking Falaën, Montaigle still looks impressive from below. The result of a devastating volcanic eruption, the ruins do not seem abandoned or empty as most others, as for over 1,500 years it was buried under 4 to 6 metres of ash and pumice stone. '...' : 'https://t.co/7inMjaWVKA' ) ). It is truly breath-taking. Our Belgian entry, Montaigle Castle, falls under the ruin category. We were surprised to find that a lot of the ruins we visited were older than the pyramids! Pompeii, unlike other ruins, maintains a sombre and unusually human aspect. There are still many more to see, but I think we've checked off a good chunk of ancient ruins in Europe. Today, there are the ruins of several of the structures that once held huge importance, including the Temple of Antoninus and Faustina, the Temple of Saturn, the Arch of Titus, and the Curia Julia (at one point the seat of the Roman Senate), and many more. Long known as the symbol of democracy, perhaps the most famous building here is the Parthenon, completed in 438 BCE. Have you been to any of these sites? This tomb dates back to the Neolithic period and consists of large flat slabs of stone that create a 9m burial chamber. We were happily making our way across central Spain when we came upon this little city. Les Baux-de-Provence, in the Provence region of France, is one ancient site that has it all. That puts Göbekli Tepe almost twice as old as the ruins on Malta and to date very little is known about who built it and what it was used for. 5. Poland Ancient Ruins: See reviews and photos of ancient ruins in Poland, Europe on Tripadvisor. Pottu Codinu subterranean burial ground – Sardinia, Italy. Dating back to the early 1500s, Dunluce Castle is perched on a rocky outcropping overlooking the ocean. I settled on Pottu Codinu for a couple of reasons. It's a five-story, 20-room structure was built into a cave 70 feet up the cliff-face by the Ancestral Puebloan people 800 years ago. 250 kilometres south of Rome and just 25 kilometres south of Naples are the tragic ruins of Pompeii. Or visit the Hypogeum of Ħal-Saflieni, the only known underground temple from prehistoric times, and Mnajdra Temple, a larger complex overlooking the ocean. Arènes d’Arles, France The Provencal town of Arles is home to some of France’s most impressive Roman ruins, most notably this amphitheatre which dates back to the 1st century AD. The Acropolis of Athens – Photo via FlickrCC Jorge Láscar. In its time, it is said to have been the entertainment center of the nobles of Burgundy. Remains of a cairn circle can be found up near the ruins of the tin mine and Ballowall Barrow is a short walk south, past the remains of the early … If you clamber to the top of the rather perilous stairs, you have a view over the Alpilles Mountains and olive groves as far as the eye can see. Echoes of Roman domination remain throughout this vast area and one of the best examples of Roman architecture and engineering is at Pont Du Gard. We all know that the history of Europe goes back a long way. I’m not trying to stick to the dictionary definition of ancient here. We have put together a list of what – in our opinion – are the 8 most interesting ancient ruins in Turkey. The Acropolis in Athens One of the most iconic ruins in Europe, the Greek Acropolis, towers over the city of Athens. Known as the “Little Rome of Gaul”, Arles was a large, strategically important city in the Roman era. Explore mysterious wonders left by those before us. Some are in city centres, and some require a trip to the countryside, but all are well worth the visit. Standing on the bridge, above the first row of arches, you can only marvel at the sheer size of the construction (48.8 m or 160 ft high to be exact). Turkey is full of history, from the Roman empire, to the Ottomans, to gaining its independence as its own country in 1923! The different ruins around the world open the door to ancient cultures. I studied Greek drama in university and was always blown away by stories of the perfect acoustics and magnitude of the productions. The Best Music Festivals in Germany: Part 2, New York’s Top Neighborhoods Part 1: Manhattan. Ogrodzieniec Castle – Photo via FlickrCC Marcin Bajer. Nothing says Northern Ireland like a moody Medieval castle, crumbling on the side of a cliff, overlooking a blustery ocean. This Megalithic temple consists of three structures made of huge slabs of stone. The monument structures found at the ruins of Les Fouaillages in Guernsey date back to around 4500 BCE, making it one of the oldest stone monuments in Europe. The stones have carvings of various animals on them, and perhaps one of the most puzzling aspects of Göbekli Tepe is that is seems to have been deliberately buried…. The Poulnabrone Dolmen in the Burren, Ireland. Add these and more to your travel plan. Stroll along the nearby leafy landscaped expanse that fronts the Guadiana River and you’ll come upon a half-mile long Roman bridge, the longest suc… It is an hour and a half’s drive from Montpellier. We travel slow – because everywhere is somewhere. Unique insights into a very special part of the world. While I was doing so, I noticed that many of the houses are carved directly out of the rock itself. We wandered through this beautiful ruin last spring on our road trip around Ireland. FIND MORE INFO IN MY, Alison Cornford-Matheson is a Canadian travel writer, author, and photographer. It is speculated that it was used as a place of worship (surprise, surprise), and has changed our understanding of hunter-gatherer societies, proving that they were capable of building monumental complexes. Natural disasters, wars, depopulation and also lack of maintenance causes fallen of many important sites and completely get deserted over time. Stonehenge – Photo via FlickrCC John Goode. The stone blocks that make up the aqueduct are hug… Discover the most impressive archaeological sites of the ancient Greek world. Flashback: What you should Bring when you Move to Belgium, Exploring the STAM Museum in Ghent, Belgium. I love being surrounded by historic places I read about while growing up. We are Canadians, Alison & Andrew, and we are slow travelling the world – with our cats. These range from its purported use as a healing site, a burial ground, and a place of rituals, with the stones aligning with sun on the winter and summer solstice. Let’s get started. The best Athens ruins to visit are those atop the Acropolis of Athens and on its slopes. You can pick up an audio guide and wander through the ruins. Rome BEST FOR: Ruin, Fountain, Nightlife Paris BEST FOR: Art Museum, Architectural Building, Historic Site Vatican City BEST FOR: Art Museum, Historic … We believe every destination has a story to tell and that the journey truly is the destination. The still-standing ruins are some of the oldest in the world, and the Lion Gate is the only known monumental sculpture of bronze age Greece. It is still a working, and lived in village, although a very touristy one during the summer months. In fact, the stunning scenery is worth the trip alone and at just over an hour’s drive from Belfast, it is easy to get to. You can explore this castle, which still has some visible medieval frescoes and its crumbling facade has been capturing the imagination of visitors for years. Divided over several trips to the region, I give you the 7 best ancient Roman ruins in Andalusia Spain. Göbekli Tepe – Photo via FlickrCC tonynetone, The oldest ruins on our list are the oldest in the world, with an estimated age of 10 to 12 thousand years old. The theatre is so well preserved that it is still used for drama festivals today! This is just a small handful of what’s out there and chances are, if you stray off the path a bit in Europe, you will find all sorts of ancient remnants. Today, visitors can view a great many ruins from the ancient town, including a well preserved Roman theatre, the Baths of Neptune, remains of the military camp, temples to ancient deities, the forum and even Ostia Synagogue, which is the oldest known synagogue site in Europe. The Roman Forum Looking Towards the Colosseum – Photo via FlickrCC Robert Lowe. I visited Northern Ireland in 2006, and I’ve been itching to return to this lovely part of the country ever since. Pompeii with Mount Vesuvius in the Background – Photo via Flickr CC Young Living Essential Oils. You can’t walk too far in central Athens, Greece, without tripping over something ancient, and we visited many incredible locations around the city. The nearby Temple of Olympian Zeus, Ancient Agora, and Temple of Hephaestus is the best of the rest of Athens’s ancient Greek ruins.Kerameikos and the Acropolis Museum are not to be missed for anyone fascinated by ancient history and ancient Greece. What that means today is that Pompeii offers a great example of how life was in a Roman city. Although the Parthenon is spectacular, my favourite part of our visit to the Acropolis was sitting in the Theatre of Dionysus. The second is because we happened upon it completely randomly while exploring some of Sardinia’s back roads. Situated in northwestern Anatolia, Turkey, is one of the world’s most famous archaeological sites, the ruins of Troy. I had to photograph this stunning hilltop fortress. We’ve been to see this Roman aqueduct three times, and it never ceases to amaze us. Fun Fact: Money from the sale of the wreckage of a ship from the Spanish Armada helped to pay for castle restorations in the 16th century. Standing on the bridge, above the first row of arches, you can only marvel at the sheer size of the construction (48.8 m or 160 ft high to be exact). Built in the 1st century, the Pont du Gard, in the Occitanie region of France, was one of the first ancient sites we visited when we first moved to Europe. Situated directly in the heart of the city, just 2 metro stops from the central train station, the ruins of the Roman Forum and the Colosseum are perhaps Italy’s top tourist draw. One way to learn the stories of Turkey throughout its history is by visiting some of its ancient ruins, and to help you plan which ones to visit, here is a list of the best anci Turn on JavaScript so our search engine can do its magic. The Forum was a central meeting point for citizens and politicians alike from the time of the Roman Kingdom, the Roman Republic, and the Roman Empire. 1. An hour’s drive outside of beautiful the Polish city of Krakow lies Ogrodzieniec Castle, a medieval castle dating from the 14th century. Quin Abbey is a site that lends itself well to Black and White photography. Dunluce Castle – Photo via FlickrCC Jennifer Boyer. It was added to the UNESCO World Heritage Sites list in 1985. The Burren is a barren rocky area covering about 250km2 of County Clare, Ireland. The Top 4 Accessible Ancient Ruins In Europe 1. If you’re going to be making a stop in Malta on your travels, you will no doubt come face to face with a number of striking and incredibly old structures. Day tours are available from Istanbul which include flights and transfers, so you can go there and back on the same day. Home → Architecture → 10 of Europe’s Most Remarkable Ruins, Posted on April 10th, 2014 Posted in Architecture No Comments. So, without further ado, here are our 10 favourite ruins and ancient sites in photos. The castle has been featured in movies, on album covers and has even been the subject of a popular song. ( (strlen( 'https://t.co/7inMjaWVKA' ) >= ? The buildings cling to the hillside and are topped by the ruins of a once spectacular castle, The Château des Baux. The first is because it was the oldest site we visited, dating from 3500 BC. One of America’s best preserved cliff dwellings. We still get a kick out of the age of so many of the sites we’ve visited in Europe. There is over 4 km of wall here, including several decidedly non-ruined parts such as the Puerta Baja. The ruins of Grasburg Castle, though, are well worth a visit. Incredible ancient ruins in the USA you probably didn’t know About The ruins of the ancient civilizations are all common in Rome, Greece, Turkey, Egypt, and Mexico. What makes it even more special though, are the plaster casts made as the ash was being removed. Whatever it is, it is one of the most famous structures on the planet and a fun place to visit and wonder what the inhabitants of the area were doing in 3000 BCE. Most people think of the sad and troubled history of the late 20th century when they think of Northern Ireland, but its medieval history is just as rich as its southern neighbour and the rest of the British Isles. The city … High on top of a hill overlooking Athens stands the proud remnants of four of the most well-known ruins preserved from the ancient world. I may have yelled “Stop the car!” a little too suddenly for Andrew’s taste, but he complied nonetheless. 15. Many of the well-known structures are perched atop the so-called Acropolis and are visible from much of the city. Newgrange - Ireland Sep 14, 2020 - Comprehensive guide to the best 25 Ancient Ruins in Greece. This complex is perhaps the hardest to reach of any on our list, located in south-eastern Turkey. This is not just a list of celebrated ruins in perfect condition. THIS POST MAY CONTAIN COMPENSATED LINKS. We discovered Daroca, Spain completely by chance, on a road trip while my parents were visiting Europe. Other sites include the Old Temple of Athena, the Theatre of Dionysus Eleuthereus, and the Temple of Athena Nike. Do you know any great ones we need to visit? With that said, it is completely safe to assume that if you are looking for the best Roman ruins in Italy, Rome is the right place to go. One of the best-preserved Roman ruins in the world is the Roman Theatre of Orange, in Vaucluse, France. Explore Ġgantija on the island of Gozo, a 5,500 year old temple. With the wealth of nuraghi and other megalithic structures scattered about the Italian island of Sardinia, it’s hard to pick just one ancient site. Many of the slabs are carved with animal figures or geometric patterns. The Temple of Diana appears behind the tourist information office, and the colorful Los Milagros Aqueduct with its seven standing columns rising not far from a set of railroad tracks. There is very little vegetation, and the tallest thing you can see over the landscape is the Poulnabrone Dolmen. It was ruined and restored repeatedly from its construction in the early 1400s to 1820 with the death of the last Friar. Many of the well-known structures are perched atop the so-called Acropolis and … Ruinsseem to materialize in the unlikeliest places in this former capital of the Roman province of Lusitania. 32 ancient ruins to see in your lifetime. The theatre was founded and built by soldiers of the Second Legion in 40 BC during Julius Caesar’s conquest of Gaul and used for several hundred years until it was closed by official edict in the fourth century. When you’re itching to see ancient ruins and want to take the show on the road, here are five unforgettable ancient ruins outside of Athens that you won’t want to miss while in Greece. Both of us enjoy the opportunity to walk in the footsteps of thousands of people before us and imagine how these ruins would have looked during their heydays. In fact, some of these stone temples are believed to be the oldest free-standing structures on Earth next to Göbekli Tepe. One of the most striking is the Poulnabrone Dolmen. We’ve been to see this Roman aqueduct three times, and it never ceases to amaze us. Ancient ruins destinations in Europe. Every modern country can see at least part of its past in the leftover crumbling stone structures that pepper the European landscape. Ireland is another country littered with interesting ancient sites. Follow me as I introduce you to the Roman ruins of Seville and Malaga and many more! Like Rome’s they lie right in the centre of the ancient city. Baalbek (Beqaa Governorate, Lebanon) Home to some of Lebanon’s best-preserved Roman ruins, Baalbek can be found in the Beqaa Valley. They show the exact positions that many of the city’s citizens were in during the eruption and serve as a sombre reminder of the power of nature. This castle was erected with an ancient ring-fort, ... Ollantaytambo’s namesake archaeological site is one of the best examples of Incan architecture in the region. The details remaining in the theatre of Dionysus were amazing; from the checkerboard floor to the carved front row seats reserved for the gods. Of course, Rome and Italy are the Holy Grail when it comes to Roman ruins in Europe, but I found a few not to miss treasures in southern Spain too! The following sites come from a variety of periods. I hope you enjoyed our favourite ancient sites and ruins. Mnajdra Temple – Photo via FlickrCC Chris Brown. Fun Fact: Rumour has it that the Gospel of John was written here. I wasn't able to capture ruins for every country or all types of ruins there are. Pieces of the 50km long aqueduct are scattered throughout the countryside, but this section is the most intact and spectacular. Pont du Gard – Photo via FlickrCC Karol Lorentey. The Roman city of Timgad, on the edge of the Sahara, is one of the best places to visit. One of our favourite sites is the UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Tarxien Temples. For a comprehensive post on the Acropolis, se e Everything You Need to Know About Visiting the Acropolis: Acropolis Entrance Fees, Hours and Tours Dating from 10th century BCE, it has some Greek, but primarily Roman structures as it was conquered by the Roman Republic in 129 BCE. The iconic Parthenon, Propylaia, Erechtheion and the temple of Athena Nike make up the Acropolis of ancient Athens. Pantheon. Many of them are thousands of years older than our country. We will take you from the coast of Northern Ireland to the ancient Greek settlements in Turkey. These are the ancient Greek and Roman ruins that hold intrigue; a story of it’s past. substr( 'https://t.co/7inMjaWVKA', 0, ) . The abbey has a turbulent history. Even the Sardinians refer to them as domus de janas (homes of the fairies). Here, you can see a roman amphitheatre, the Forum, a basilica, and several baths. What makes the castle unique, is that according to some, the castle is haunted by the “Black Dog of Ogrodzieniec”, that has burning eyes and wanders the grounds at night, dragging a heavy chain. The abbey’s graveyard is still in use, and the site is maintained by a caretaker although it is free to enter and explore the ruin. The third is because, well, they reminded us of Hobbit houses. For me, the most interesting part was the decoration around the site. 2020's top ancient ruins in Eastern Europe include Amphitheatre de Pula, Nessebar + Plovdiv Roman Theatre. Moving west, we are going to head to Rome, the heart of the eponymous empire and the home to some of its best ruins. That’s exactly what we got when we visited Dunluce Castle. Visitors to Athens will no doubt be visiting its famous and historic ruins. The ruins in the world are of great important to historians and archaeologists. Well, that’s our list of some of the more well-known and not so well-known ruins that you can explore in Europe. There is not much left of the original structure, but it still makes for an interesting visit. Andrew secretly loves the ability to climb on ruins that would be closed to the public, if they were in Canada. All you have to do is get out there! Located among the undulating hills of Salisbury Plain and only one and a half hours by car from central London is the enigmatic and continually fascinating monument of Stonehenge. This photo shows the famous “fat lady” statue, thought to represent the Mother Goddess and used as a fertility charm. One of the reasons it is so striking is its location. At its height, Bagan was home to over 10,000 Buddhist temples, shrines, and pagodas.While this number has declined over the last millennium, roughly 2,000 of these glistening gold structures still remain today, making Bagan one of the continent's must-see marvels. The Acropolis of Athens – Photo via FlickrCC Jorge Láscar. Europe has a very long history. There is archaeological evidence (flint tools) that suggests that the site was first used around 6000 BCE by ancient hunters. 10 of the best ancient ruins ... it flourished for over 400 years and at its peak was larger than any contemporary European city, ... and the best-preserved ancient monument in Croatia. Built in the 1st century, the Pont du Gard, in the Occitanie region of France, was one of the first ancient sites we visited when we first moved to Europe. Malta is yet another country filled with ancient temples and ruins. She is the founder of, Guide to Belgian Beer and Breweries in Belgium, International Food Shops in Brussels, Belgium, Best Christmas Markets in Belgium & Europe 2019, Resources for Expats and Trailing Spouses, 10 Best Ruins and Ancient Sites in Europe in Photos, '. Kick out of the city was an ancient city in the world are of important. 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